| Traveling to the Bahamas? The Bahamas is a country | | | | Meanwhile, there's also the regular US passport book. |
| composed of 29 islands, and is often referred to as | | | | It is a bit more expensive than the passport card, |
| the home of the finest beaches in the Caribbean. | | | | but this provides you with greater flexibility in your |
| You can't argue with this claim, as the country's | | | | international travel than the passport card. Remember |
| economy is built largely on tourism, with thousands of | | | | that the use of passport cards is limited only to |
| Americans contributing to the country's economic | | | | WHTI areas, so if you're planning on traveling to |
| growth by flocking to this destination annually. If you | | | | countries outside of these areas, then you should |
| are planning on traveling to the Bahamas, let us show | | | | apply for a passport book. |
| you what you need to get there, including | | | | Keep in mind that you can only use a passport travel |
| information on whether you need a US passport to | | | | card to and from the Bahamas only if you are |
| visit the Bahamas. | | | | traveling by sea or land. If traveling by air, the use of |
| The Bahamas is a part of the group called Western | | | | a US passport book is recommended. For your |
| Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). And as such, to | | | | convenience, you can also apply for both types of |
| travel to this country from the United States you will | | | | passports at a discount. You can then use the card |
| need a US passport book, or your passport card. | | | | for sea and land travel to WHTI areas, and your |
| Either of these two documents will suffice. However, | | | | passport book for international air travel. |
| unlike some other WHTI sites, your State-issued | | | | You may be required to submit additional documents |
| enhanced driver's license is not accepted in this | | | | when entering the Bahamas aside from your |
| destination. You are not also required to apply for a | | | | passport. To be sure, contact their Embassy in the |
| visa to travel to the Bahamas. | | | | US before you head to the destination. Once you |
| Using a US passport card will enable you to enter the | | | | learn what the other requirements are, if any, have |
| Bahamas. First issued on July 14, 2008, this card is | | | | them ready before you leave. |
| the cheaper and more convenient way of having an | | | | It is recommended you register with the nearest US |
| official travel document to this destination and the | | | | Embassy or consulate as soon as you arrive at the |
| other WHTI member areas. Processing periods for | | | | Bahamas. This is important as registering makes it |
| this card is similar to the processing of regular | | | | easy for the Embassy or consulate to assist you in |
| passport books, so make sure you apply for this | | | | times of emergency. Aside from that, they will also |
| card way ahead of your travel date. Currently, it | | | | provide you with travel and safety information when |
| takes four to six weeks to complete the routine | | | | you visit their offices. This helps ensure that your |
| passport processing, and two to three weeks for | | | | travel will be safe and hassle-free. |
| the expedited passport option. | | | | |